Make the man great again
yeah...this is pointed at the oval office
A man fosters love and encourages kindness.
A man advocates community and welcomes diversity.
A man knows he is flawed,
and longs to be better.
A man apologizes.
A man swallows excuses.
A man works hard and respects the station.
A man bends his knee to greet the timid,
and stands tall to face the angry.
A man can revel in gentle words;
and shout bold truths.
A man knows to recognize wisdom and follow,
and when to trust his gut and lead.
A man does not purchase power;
he does not lie to gain admirers,
he does not steal credit,
nor improve himself for merit’s sake.
A man empowers the weak,
and tempers the braggart;
knows to approach grief tenderly,
and to embrace joy freely;
to breathe softly,
and to bear down heavily;
to fight like hell with his inner beast
and to sit still and take it on the chin.
A man seeks compassion where neglect calls revenge,
offers grace where boredom wants spite,
gives love unconditional where anger risks hate.
A man knows he is not special,
yet strives daily for personal excellence;
he harbours love for all;
he harbours love for himself.
A man cares deeply for ALL beings:
weak or strong,
rich or poor,
genius or ordinary,
of all races,
all religions
all genders.
A man knows this life of his,
lived rightly
is hard earned,
but wakes daily to practice,
with grit,
with open eyes
and with love.
I wrote this for Trump, lying in bed the other night, sleepless and angry with him.
But, I am of my father, Gerald Altwies, so it’s also a guide, a call to action, a goal (surely not all won yet), from us, and my brother Justin, and for us; and also Kaleo, Cruickshank and DR, Josh and Rudy, Keith, Adam, Bruce: but also for Duncan, Jasper (pictured above with Stella melted against him), Levi, Garrett, John, Bertie, Victor, Shane, Chris, Elliott, tiny Cooper, all LCM men and all the other men I love.
Share it freely if it resonates.